Christmas season sparkles at Sandburg home

Published: Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 10:36 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 10:36 a.m.

Harvey Lux and Dian Oliver walked down a grassy slope, holding hands, heading toward a goat sitting against a wire fence. The couple was roaming the grounds of Carl Sandburg’s historic home on Saturday, taking in Christmas at Connemara.

Lux, 76, and Oliver, 75, made the trek from Spartanburg, S.C., for their first visit to the home.

“It was kind of a surprise for her,” Lux said with a glance at his sweetheart. “I didn’t tell her we were going.”

The secret had to come out when he was coming down Upward Road. Oliver had been to the Flat Rock Playhouse many times, and she knew there wasn’t a matinee on this warm, sunny Saturday.

“It was a big surprise,” she said.

They took in the sights and sounds of the Christmas tradition on Saturday and loved every minute. They especially loved the house. “The tour of the house was great,” Lux said. “It was interesting.”

Those in attendance who had hiked up the hill toward the house were treated to many interesting, local artists. People lined up to hear Pat Corn on Saturday afternoon, and the room was full as Black Feather shared stories about some Cherokee holiday traditions. The goats were a popular attraction as families ventured into the pastures to pet them.

Inside the house, Steve and Jean Smith played holiday music while people perused the gift shop and children made Christmas houses out of Christmas cards and other crafts.

Park Ranger Janene Donovan did a bit of everything on Saturday, running between events with a Santa hat on her head.

“It’s been excellent,” she said of the event. “We’ve had a great turnout.”

That’s been par for the course at all of the Sandburg home events this year, she said. “Every single one has broken records this year.”

<p>Harvey Lux and Dian Oliver walked down a grassy slope, holding hands, heading toward a goat sitting against a wire fence. The couple was roaming the grounds of Carl Sandburg's historic home on Saturday, taking in Christmas at Connemara.</p><p>Lux, 76, and Oliver, 75, made the trek from Spartanburg, S.C., for their first visit to the home.</p><p>“It was kind of a surprise for her,” Lux said with a glance at his sweetheart. “I didn't tell her we were going.”</p><p>The secret had to come out when he was coming down Upward Road. Oliver had been to the Flat Rock Playhouse many times, and she knew there wasn't a matinee on this warm, sunny Saturday.</p><p>“It was a big surprise,” she said.</p><p>They took in the sights and sounds of the Christmas tradition on Saturday and loved every minute. They especially loved the house. “The tour of the house was great,” Lux said. “It was interesting.”</p><p>Those in attendance who had hiked up the hill toward the house were treated to many interesting, local artists. People lined up to hear Pat Corn on Saturday afternoon, and the room was full as Black Feather shared stories about some Cherokee holiday traditions. The goats were a popular attraction as families ventured into the pastures to pet them. </p><p>Inside the house, Steve and Jean Smith played holiday music while people perused the gift shop and children made Christmas houses out of Christmas cards and other crafts. </p><p>Park Ranger Janene Donovan did a bit of everything on Saturday, running between events with a Santa hat on her head. </p><p>“It's been excellent,” she said of the event. “We've had a great turnout.” </p><p>That's been par for the course at all of the Sandburg home events this year, she said. “Every single one has broken records this year.”</p>